Colorectal Cancer Health Center

Colorectal Cancer Clinical Trials

Major pharmaceutical companies continually research and develop new medications and treatments, which must be shown to be safe and effective before doctors can prescribe them to patients. Through colorectal cancer clinical trials, researchers test the effects of new medications on a group of volunteers with colorectal cancer. Following a strict protocol and using carefully controlled conditions, researchers evaluate the investigational drugs under development by measuring the ability of the new drug to treat colorectal cancer, its safety, and any possible side effects.

Some patients with colorectal cancer are reluctant to take part in clinical trials for fear of getting no treatment at all for their colorectal cancer. This is simply not true. Patients with colorectal cancer who participate in colorectal cancer clinical trials receive the most effective therapy currently available for the colorectal cancer -- or they may receive colorectal cancer treatments that are being evaluated for future use. These colorectal cancer drugs may be even more effective than the current colorectal cancer treatment. The only way to determine if a newer therapy is better than a currently available therapy is by clinical trial participation.

In addition, colorectal cancer clinical trials are no-cost alternatives and are usually accompanied by free medical evaluations as part of the clinical trial.

The following web sites offer information and services to help you find a colorectal cancer clinical trial that is right for you.

TrialCheck

This web site, developed by the nonprofit Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups, is an unbiased cancer clinical trial matching and navigation service enabling patients to search for cancer trials based on disease and location. 

National Cancer Institute

This web site lists more than 6,000 cancer clinical trials, and explains what to do when you find one that you think is right for you.

ClinicalTrials.gov

This web site offers up-to-date information for locating federally and privately supported clinical trials for cancer.

CenterWatch

This web site lists industry-sponsored clinical trials that are actively recruiting patients.